Monday, October 22, 2012

The next wave of advanced biofuels could come from a surprising source — loblolly and other species of pine trees that blanket the American South. Tapping pine trees for resin, or terpene, is a 400-year-old practice.Researchers at the University of Florida are using genetic modification to increase production of terpene five-fold and convert that into an advanced biofuel.This renewable energy innovation is made possible in part through a $6.2 milliongrant from ARPA-E.See Dr Gary Peter’s YouTube clip about this project at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZMm4-rIfk

Introduction to Prescribed Fire in Southern Ecosystems is designed to help resource managers to plan and execute prescribed burns in Southern forests and grasslands. The guide is currently available for viewing and printing online at http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/41316. Printed copies of the guide, listed as Science Update-SRS-54, are now available for order through pubrequest@fs.fed.us.

Over the next 3 years (2012-2014), the University of Florida will be conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup. If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!

FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES WEBINARS

For a calendar of upcoming webinars in a variety of land management topics see:

USDA LABORATORY AND STUDENTS RELEASE BEETLES TO COMBAT AIR POTATO VINE IN FLORIDA
USDA scientists teamed with Broward County students last week to release beetles that are proving to be an effective biological control against the air potato vine, an aggressive, invasive exotic plant that is displacing native plant species and disrupting ecological functions throughout Florida. Air potato leaf beetles (Lilioceris cheni) were released in an area infested by the vine, and visited a nearby beetle establishment site to observe the beneficial impact of the biocontrol program. Sixteen beetles, released on March 1, 2012, produced thousands of offspring which have caused nearly complete defoliation of the plants in the release area. The beetle release resulted from ARS research on environmentally friendly ways to combat air potato vine, with support on the final collections of the beetle in southern China by ARS’ Australian Biological Control Laboratory. More releases are planned for air potato infestations in north Florida.

COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
Over the next 3 years (2012-2014), the University of Florida will be conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup. If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!